Equestrian Property – 29 Must Have Attributes

Owning a Equestrian Real Estate means that you have the liberty to keep your horses at home. It’s a dream come true for people who love equestrian and like keeping their four-legged friends in their land and facility.

These 29 must-have equestrian property attributes are more than a checklist for horse owners. Anyone who lives with horses knows that you can do it the hard way or do it the right way. While some of these attributes will be extremely important for you others may not matter. You decide.

1⃣ Location

Like buying any other real estate properties, location is one of the most important aspects when buying a horse property. Choose one that has proximity to riding schools, feed and tack store, training facilities, local vets, as well as everyday conveniences such as shopping and community amenities.

2⃣ Community

This factor is a tricky one. Know that not all properties that are meant for horses are necessarily equestrian-friendly enclaves. Pick one that its neighboring properties are horse friendly. Seek those that have more equestrian events, amenities, and shows. If you’re persistent enough, try finding those communities with bridleways that run through the community.

If you’re planning to venture into the equestrian real estate property, know that it’s nothing like your usual real estate scheme. The right horse ranch depends on the riding discipline each buyer is inclined to.

When choosing a horse property, you need to evaluate lots of factors before saying yes to any negotiation. Equestrian real estate properties might be a land with existing infrastructure or just a vacant one. Whatever you fancy for your horse, be sure to keep in mind these 29 considerations for horse property buyers:

3⃣ Riding Opportunities

If your acreage isn’t vast enough for riding, having a nearby arena or round pen is an excellent opportunity for you. Find a property that offers ideal riding spaces. Below are equestrian property options for your preview.

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4⃣ Accessibility

Keep in mind that accessibility for typical day to day deliveries. Horse trailers, vet, emergency vehicles and hay deliveries. It’s also best to have proper access to the barn with turnaround driveways in your equestrian real estate.

5⃣ Overall Acreage

Experts say that the rule of thumb when buying a horse property is that you should allow at least 1 ½ acres for the first horse plus an additional acre for each horse after that. Many area zoning will demand the maximum allowable amount of horses versus land size. Lots of equestrian clients are searching for two-acre to five-acre parcels. Know your preferences too and talk to your real estate agent about them.

🐴 Horse Property 1 Acre +

6⃣ Sufficient Pastures

In your equestrian real estate property allow enough space for each part of the pasture to rest for about six weeks. This span of time will help make the land in good shape. Do this at least twice a year. This type of pasture management is best known as Rotational Grazing. You can rely on the guide called Pastures For Profit: A Guide To Rotational Grazing. This was put out by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

7⃣ Soils

The ideal soil type for horse properties is sandy loamy, organic soils. As soil impacts the quality of grasses for pasture growth, this consideration for the equestrian real estate is a priority. No worries about finding the right soil. The USDA Service Center got your back. These agencies can advise you with the type of soil in your prospect ranch.

8⃣ Natural Habitat

Investigating the vegetation and natural habitat in the vicinity of the horse property is also a must. There might be noxious weeds like Ragwort and Stinkwort. Native grasses such as sedges and rushes that would indicate a wetland area might also be around. You can understand local native plants by turning to the San Diego chapter of the California Native Plant Society or the California Native Plant Society. You can find a comprehensive list of toxic plants to horses posted on the ASPCA website.

9⃣ Slope Stability

The ideal topography for horse properties is flat or gently rolling topography. This one can help control against water runoff that collects in the wrong areas. The ideal slope is not more than 15% slope.

1⃣0⃣ Adequate Water Supply

How many horses do you have? How many do you plan to house in your equestrian real estate property? Know that each of them will drink approximately 5-10 gallons of water every day. It means that having a convenient source of potable water is vital. Many equestrian real estate properties in San Diego has a well for the irrigation and horses with city water for the main house. The well has to run at least 10gpm.

1⃣1⃣ Natural Water Features

Know if there are wetlands, creeks, wetlands, rivers, lakes, ponds, and irrigation ditches near your prospect horse property. All these need to be examined. Laws aka water rights protect natural bodies of water. A local irrigation district might also have a water rights easement. You might be required to have proper fencing to avoid violating environment protection laws related to natural water features. Fencing secures your landscape area, and it protects it from pests. It also makes it attractive. There are tons of beautiful, scarce and yet simple designs you can use to perfectly beautify even a small backyard.

1⃣2⃣ Waterways

Verify waterways. Know if they are correctly lined with concrete, stone, or other materials. Having an adequately sloped water is also a big plus. This facility helps you avoid erosion and divert water from vulnerable areas.

1⃣3⃣ Well and Septic System

Have both the existing septic system and well inspected. You also need to examine the good pump and the equipment, septic tank and leach fields. Requesting the horse property seller to pump out the septic tank is also a good idea. If the barn has its septic for wash racks, laundry and groom quarters, you got your horses a good deal of sanitary facility.

1⃣4⃣ Proper Drainage

Inadequate drainage may result in a muddy land. Having a muddy land is no good for an equestrian facility. It can lead to falls or other health problems. Installing a drain line, ditch, or berm is an excellent idea. To know if the area has proper drainage, you have to visit the lot shortly after a rainstorm. If the water accumulates, then there’s a drainage problem going on.

1⃣5⃣ Roof Runoff Structures

1⃣6⃣ Structural Safety

Safety comes first to any real estate property. Your horses need this principle too. Don’t sell their safety short by not checking if the structure is sturdy or not. Minor issues like broken stalls and fences can be aided in one snap, but a weak foundation can not.

1⃣9⃣ Tack Room

What’s a barn without a tack room? This one must be secure and dry. It should also be conveniently located for bridles, blankets, feed, saddles, and more. Proper, adequate lighting and storage is also a need.

2⃣3⃣ Easements

It’s also necessary to note if the vacant land has existing easements for flowage, road and utilities, and underground communication. Having open space, storm drain, sewer pipelines, and recreational trails is also a consideration for horse property buyers.

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2⃣6⃣ Expansion Potential

If having wider horse property over the years is one of your goals, then see if your prospect property allows expansion potential. Examine neighboring properties and see if they possible extensions of your acreage one day.

2⃣7⃣ Zoning

Equestrian property owners have to be careful in ensuring that they remain compliant with local zoning laws. The exact ordinances vary depending on the location and the intended usage of the property. In San Diego County, there’s no need for a permit to keep privately-owned horses. For those people interested in boarding horses or other commercial uses, they need to apply for a conditional use permit. These types of permits will be issued on a tiered system. It depends on the size of the land, and the number of horses. It also depends on the services offered. Note that the county also has minimum acreage requirements. The land measurement is based on the number of horses housed on the property.

2⃣8⃣ Caretaker’s Quarters

Are you planning to own a large barn? Will you need the assistance of a caretaker? Having a live-in caretaker gives you maximum advantages in aiming for proper operation. See if your prospect horse property has an available apartment or separate house. Having this facility can make hiring and keeping a staff easier.

2⃣9⃣ Overall appeal

The majority of the considerations for horse property buyers listed here cover details of the land. This time, take a step back and examine the overall layout of the property. The ideal barn should be nestled behind the house. It allows any visitors to drive past the house for them to visit the horses. This set-up poses a high-security advantage. If you’re eyeing a property that sits in a rural area, this layout is a must.

By knowing these 29 horse facility concerns, you know what to check off the must-haves on your needs and wants list. This list might seem overwhelming for first-time equestrian real estate property buyers. If you’re one of those who seem to have a hard time checking them all, talk to your real estate agent about plans to work out the lacking facilities.

One example is that if your barn doesn’t have a feed room, you can buy horse-proof feed bins. These can be put in the extra wide aisle. The property has no real tack room? Try experimenting on turning an existing stall into a storage facility instead. If you can’t decide which of the considerations for horse property buyers to prioritize and follow, keep in mind that a true horse person will be sensitive to the needs of their horses.